Off The Schneid
I know, I know. It’s just one win.
But you have to admit, it still feels good. Somewhat of a sense of relief is sweeping through Leafs Nation today. A sense that, although there is still a long way to go, things are not at a total loss. This team can find ways to win, and appears to be rounding into the sort of form envisioned by GM Brian Burke during a busy and much-hyped (over-hyped?) offseason.
The sense that the team may be coming together as a unit is not just the afterglow from Monday’s 6-3 win over Anaheim speaking. During the game against Vancouver on Saturday night, the Leafs played with a level of passion and energy which was previously not present, and although the end result was a (close) loss the team dominated the play throughout.
Most encouraging was the carry-over; despite some concern there would be a letdown following the loss, the Leafs instead took confidence from that performance and it showed in Monday’s victory. That is as good a sign as any that this team is finally starting to gel, to play together, and to play within the system that the coaching staff has been trying to implement.
A few notes:
- Puck pressure was one of the Leafs’ strong points in this one. The players able to create steady pressure throughout by committing to an aggressive forecheck, which created several opposition turnovers in the offensive and neutral zones.
- Puck pursuit was also much better. The Leafs played with a higher level of energy against Anaheim than they had in any other game, chasing down loose pucks and winning several key battles in the corners and along the boards.
- What can you say about the goaltending? Jonas Gustavsson absolutely robbed the Ducks on several scoring chances early when the game was close. True, he still allowed three goals against, although it is hard to fault him for the first goal where Todd Marchant was knocked into him (sorry but I don’t buy the interference argument, that one is on Garnet Exelby), or the third goal which came on a terrific deflection by Corey Perry. It may be just one start, but play like that from the goaltender is what will allow the players in front of him to have the confidence to take more high-risk, high-reward chances.
- The powerplay was outstanding. For a change, the opposition was in the box for the majority of the game (more on this in a moment), and the Leafs capitalized with the man advantage — which happens to be the one facet of their game that has been consistently good all season. Niklas Hagman was deadly from just above the faceoff circle on his off wing, and Tomas Kaberle actually shot the puck for a change. Good things happen when you fire the puck, Tomas, hope to see more of that in the near future.
- The grinders executed to perfection last night. Instead of running at people haphazardly and taking stupid penalties, the players picked their spots and drove the opposition completely off their game by employing aggressive – and relatively clean – physicality on the puck carriers. By getting physical with the Ducks’ puck carriers, creating turnovers and subsequently maintaining puck control with good passing and well-executed line changes, the Leafs were able to frustrate their opponent into taking an astounding 17 penalties, most of which were of the unnecessary (read: reactionary) variety. That, folks, is what truculence is all about.
All in all, Monday’s win provided a show of the kind of game the Maple Leafs are capable of playing, and the style of play coach Ron Wilson has been attempting to instill this season. Of course, none of this is to say that the Leafs are suddenly on the road to becoming a playoff team; the reality is, the rebuilding process is by no means close to completion. But with efforts such as those we witnessed against Vancouver and Anaheim, the Maple Leafs will develop confidence in their game and will by no means be an easy opponent.
It is that confidence — which begins in the net and extends outward from there — that will enable the team to win its fair share of games this season, and remain competitive in those which don’t go their way. And figuring out how to compete is the first step toward developing a core of players that will, down the road, be able lead a contending team into the playoffs.
There may no cause to trumpet a parade, predict a playoff run, or expect even a .500 season just yet. But the one thing we should all take away from the past two games is the steps this team has taken to play a more energetic, aggressive, and competitive game. Success is predicated on the steps taken to reach a goal or a desired outcome, and it is clear the Maple Leafs have begun to take strides in the proper direction. Here’s hoping they are able to continue the trend, and take further steps (perhaps starting with the PK?), in the upcoming games against Dallas, Buffalo, and Montreal.
garrettbauman@mapleleafshotstove.com
February 16th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Does amoxicillin cause ovulation….
Buy amoxicillin no prescription required. Mix amoxicillin with frontline on cat. Cat reactions to amoxicillin….
February 17th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Tramadol 50mg….
Tramadol and depression. Dog s tramadol. Tramadol. Tramadol medication. Tramadol for dogs….
February 18th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Carisoprodol pharmacy….
Carisoprodol phentermine yellow all on one site. Carisoprodol….
February 21st, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Side effects of butalbital….
Butalbital order. Snort and butalbital. Butalbital….
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:29 am
Phantermine….
Phantermine….
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
Discount tadalafil….
Liquid tadalafil. Make tadalafil. Tadalafil. Tadalafil uk. Buy tadalafil online. Cheapest tadalafil. Tadalafil cheap….
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Buy watson brand soma….
Buy soma. Soma buy soma cheap soma soma online….
February 24th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Buy diazepam….
Buy diazepam….
February 24th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Buy phentermine….
Buy phentermine hcl. Buy phentermine online wi. Pillinc buy phentermine adipex meridia online. Buy cheap phentermine. Buy cheap phentermine mg tabs. Buy phentermine shipped u….
February 24th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Purchase hydrocodone without a prescription….
Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone online….
February 24th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Buy alprazolam….
Buy alprazolam without a prescription. Buy alprazolam. Buy alprazolam without prescription….
February 24th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Vicodin….
Vicodin abuse. Vicodin. How to make vicodin. Buy vicodin without script….
February 25th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Buy tramadol….
Buy tramadol online cod. Buy tramadol the lowest prices chtiblog com. Buy tramadol. Tramadol hci online buy cheap tramadol hci online. Buy cheap tramadol mg tablets only in us online. Tramadol great buy….
February 26th, 2010 at 6:59 am
Effects of oxycontin on sperm….
Oxycontin attorney ohio. Oxycontin….
February 26th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Buy hydrocodone 10….
Buy hydrocodone without prescription. Buy hydrocodone online. Buy hydrocodone with mastercard. Buy hydrocodone no prescription. Buy hydrocodone without a prescription….
February 28th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Hard to talk and fioricet codeine….
Fioricet. Fioricet and blood work. Fioricet c.o.d.. Fioricet phentermine shipping….
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:44 am
Ic hydrocodone apap 5 500….
Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone m357. Cold water extraction for hydrocodone….
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Buy cheap adipex….
Buy adipex. Adipexstores com buy adipex online. Buy adipex online discount cheap pharmacy. Adipex lowest online prices to buy adipex. Adipex buy adipex online goshen….
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Buy phentermine….
Buy phentermine….
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:55 am
Xanax….
Xanax bars. Xanax valium. Xanax….
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Xanax….
Cheap generic xanax 2mg bars. Xanax xr. Xanax side effects….
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Doxycycline gpnotebook….
Doxycycline hyclate uses for dogs….
March 4th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Adderall xr….
Adderall xr and severe indigestion….
March 6th, 2010 at 5:04 am
Buy fioricet….
Buy fioricet….
March 6th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Buy amoxicillin….
Buy amoxicillin….
March 6th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Buy xanax without prescription in usa….
Buy xanax. Buy xanax online. Where to buy xanax with same day delivery. Buy cheap xanax. Where to buy xanax online without a prescription….
March 6th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Buy ativan online free usa dr consultation….
Buy ativan online no credit card. Buy ativan drug online….
March 6th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Snort oxycontin….
Oxycontin….
March 7th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Buy oxycodone without prescription….
Buy oxycodone without prescription. Buy oxycodone. Buy oxycodone online without….
March 8th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Buy phentermine on line….
Buy phentermine. Buy c heap phentermine online. Buy cheap phentermine free fedex. Buy phentermine online. Buy phentermine diet pill….
March 9th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Effect of lorazepam….
Lorazepam. Lorazepam side effects. No prescription needed sale lorazepam hydrocodone….
March 9th, 2010 at 6:18 am
Oxycodone addiction….
Buy oxycodone without a perscription. Oxycodone….
March 9th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Tadalafil fedex….
Tadalafil. Buy tadalafil….
March 9th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Buy phentermine online 37.5mg no prescription….
Phentermine online. Phentermine online no prescription. Buy phentermine online. Online phentermine 180 pills. Adipexdrug addiction order phentermine online. Cheapest phentermine online. Online phentermine. Buy phentermine order cheap online….
March 10th, 2010 at 1:05 am
Buy vicodin without presciption….
Buy vicodin without presciption. Buy vicodin no rx. Buy vicodin….
March 10th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Phentermine and adipex tablet online….
Adipex. Generic adipex. Adipex p phentermine ecureme com….
March 10th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Buy ambien….
Buy ambien….
March 11th, 2010 at 4:03 am
Ephedrine….
Ephedrine ingredients. Ephedrine. Vasopro ephedrine. Ephedrine sulphate. Ephedrine hcl. Manufacturing ephedrine. Ephedrine sale….
March 12th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Cheap tramadol without prescription….
Cheap tramadol. Order tramadol. Tramadol. Tramadol hcl….
March 12th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Buy ambien online….
Ambien online buy. Ambien buy the offical site. Buy ambien online. Buy ambien online overnight delivery. Buy ambien….
March 13th, 2010 at 2:29 am
Buy percocet online….
Buy percocet. Where to buy percocet illegally. Buy percocet no prescription. Buy rx percocet without rx. Buy percocet online. Buy percocet without prescription….
March 13th, 2010 at 3:45 am
Zoloft and lorazepam….
Sublingual lorazepam. Combinatorial chemistry of lorazepam. Lorazepam….
March 13th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Buy hydrocodone vicodin lortab tramadol online….
Buy cheap lortab medication international 35381. Buy lortab online no prescription. Buy lortab….
March 13th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Buy phentermine online….
Buy phentermine online. Buy no phentermine prescription. Buy phentermine cod. Buy phentermine….
March 14th, 2010 at 3:33 am
Codeine addiction….
Codeine. Codeine detection times….
March 14th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Mexican buy adderall….
Buy adderall online. Buy adderall. Buy adderall without a prescription. Buy adderall no prescription. Buying adderall online pharmacy….
March 14th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
No script amoxicillin….
Can you give a dog amoxicillin. Expired amoxicillin. Cat amoxicillin dosage….
March 15th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Buy vicodin….
Buy vicodin online. Buy vicodin without prescription. Buy vicodin. Buy vicodin es online. Buy vicodin online legally….
March 18th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
region relates current alternative time…
2009 amplified service basis…
March 19th, 2010 at 4:56 am
Abercrombie Hoodies Abercrombie Hoodies
Abercrombie Jeans Abercrombie Jeans
Abercrombie Pants Abercrombie Pants
Abercrombie Tees Abercrombie Tees
Abercrombie Shorts Abercrombie Shorts
Abercrombie Sweater Abercrombie Sweater
Abercrombie Outerwear Abercrombie Outerwear
Abercrombie Polo Abercrombie Polo
Abercrombie Shirts Abercrombie Shirts
abercrombie henleys crew abercrombie henleys crew
hollister hollister
hollister uk hollister uk
abercrombie mens abercrombie mens
abercrombie womens abercrombie womens
Ruehl 925 Ruehl 925
Abercrombie Hoodies Abercrombie Hoodies
Abercrombie Jeans Abercrombie Jeans
Abercrombie Pants Abercrombie Pants
Abercrombie Tees Abercrombie Tees
Abercrombie Shorts Abercrombie Shorts
Abercrombie Sweater Abercrombie Sweater
Abercrombie Outerwear Abercrombie Outerwear
Abercrombie Polo Abercrombie Polo
Abercrombie Shirts Abercrombie Shirts
abercrombie henleys crew abercrombie henleys crew
hollister hollister
hollister uk hollister uk
abercrombie mens abercrombie mens
abercrombie womens abercrombie womens
Ruehl 925 Ruehl 925
Abercrombie And Fitch Abercrombie And Fitch
Wedding Dresses Wedding Dresses